AJMC’s Institute for Value Based Medicine recently hosted an event titled “Innovation and Quality in Oncology Care.” It featured several leaders in the transformation of oncology care who are changing the way cancer care is provided and improving patient experiences and outcomes. In addition to transformation, the importance of data emerged as a key theme. Healthcare has been reactive for … Read More
The COA Oncology Care Model 2.0 webinar
On Friday July 12, 2019, the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) held a webinar to review their proposed plan for the next iteration of the Oncology Care Model (OCM), OCM 2.0. Last month COA announced their full proposal for OCM 2.0, which was submitted to Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). PTAC reviews the physician payment models for Medicare programs. … Read More
What is your practice doing to mitigate the nursing shortage?
We have heard from several of the practices we work with that they are working hard to figure out how to fill the nursing gaps they are facing. One practice told us they are trying to fill 45 open positions. While that may be an extreme example, the shortage is likely being felt by all cancer care providers. U.S. News … Read More
Don’t ignore the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis
At the recent Value in Cancer Care Summit, a former bankruptcy judge, Karen Overstreet, addressed the financial toxicity that often comes with a cancer diagnosis. Cancer is overwhelming and confusing and there is often not a lot of transparency about the financial impact. Patients are reluctant to discuss financial concerns with their care team – either out of embarrassment or … Read More
Better Cancer Care with Patient Reported Outcomes
The Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research recently held its 6th Annual Value in Cancer Care Summit. The morning plenary session was given by Deborah Schrag, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, entitled “Collecting Patient Reported Outcomes to Improve Cancer Care.” Dr. Schrag began her talk by reminding the audience that a patient reported outcome (PROs) is “any report of the … Read More
Give your patient engagement efforts a boost
A central requirement of many value-based programs is patient engagement and cancer care providers have invested significant time and money into engagement efforts. Yet it continues to be a real challenge. Portals are generally underutilized, office visits are short and medical information is complicated. That’s why Navigating Cancer is taking its Patient Relationship Management platform to the next level. Instead … Read More
Closing the loop for symptom management
In the transition to value-based care, symptom management for cancer patients has emerged as a key factor in not only delivering high quality care, but also preventing unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations. Triage nurses using Navigating Cancer’s Patient Relationship Management platform are able to provide thorough, consistent symptom management over the phone to patients as soon as they need help. … Read More
Artificial Intelligence and Community Oncology
The Community Oncology Conference recently featured a panel discussion of organizations piloting an artificial intelligence (AI) program. The discussion opened with John Frownfelter, the Chief Medical Information Officer at JVION, describing the challenges of cancer care today and value-based programs, in particular. Providing the highest quality of care at a lower cost in an increasingly complicated landscape is difficult. In … Read More
Leverage Symptom Management and Triage Pathways to Improve Care and Reduce Costs
At the recent ACCC 45th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, there was a lot of focus on the challenges so many cancer care providers face, like the complexities of the Oncology Care Model, new applications for artificial intelligence, how to leverage technology to impact care and more. In one session, Mah-Jabeen Soobader of Archway Health presented a study … Read More
Catching up with Minnesota Oncology
Minnesota Oncology, a member of The US Oncology Network, has been participating in pay for performance programs over the past five years and are in the process of becoming certified as an oncology medical home. This large, innovative practice wanted to ensure they were ready for the future of cancer care and recognized that a technology-based solution would be necessary … Read More
